A boat ride along a historic river, a plate of traditional Malay food or a bicycle journey past heritage landmarks may sound like a familiar holiday. But in Siak, Riau, Indonesia, Siak Eco Wonders is turning these simple moments into a way for visitors to connect with local culture while supporting the communities behind them.
The shift towards meaningful travel is gaining momentum among Malaysians too. A 2025 Sustainable Tourism Survey found that nearly 80% of Malaysian travellers consider sustainability when planning their trips. Across Asia Pacific, the sustainable tourism market was valued at USD1.037 trillion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD2.668 trillion by 2031.
Just across the Straits, Siak Eco Wonders is bringing this approach to life, transforming the Siak River, local heritage, cuisine and community livelihoods into immersive experiences.
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Siak Eco Wonders: When Tourism Becomes a Restorative Economy
The Siak River has long been part of everyday life, serving as a transport route and gathering place for communities. Today, it is also a gateway for visitors to discover the region’s Malay heritage and way of life.
Developed by Sentra Kreatif Lestari Siak (Skelas) with local stakeholders, including Benteng Berdaulat and Tourism Awareness Groups (Pokdarwis), the initiative packages existing cultural and natural resources into community-led tourism.
“We saw great potential in Siak, but the management was not yet maximized. It was not because it was wrong, but because things were not yet connected and packaged well,” said Taufiq Nurrohim, Business Development of Skelas.
Visitors can explore Siak by wooden bicycle, passing the Siak Palace, Syahabuddin Mosque and Balai Kerapatan. They can also see the komet, a rare historic music box associated with the Sultan of Siak, one of only two known examples in the world, alongside one in Germany.
The journey goes beyond sightseeing. At Pinaloka, visitors learn how local pineapples become nastar cookies, while Alam Siak Lestari introduces cork fish processing and its link to peatland conservation. Another experience takes visitors onto the river with local fishermen, setting nets in the afternoon and returning the next morning to collect the catch.
From Local Food to Local Livelihoods
The experience continues at the dining table. Rather than relying on large caterers, Siak Eco Wonders works with residents of Benteng Hulu Village to prepare Malay dishes such as asam pedas patin, salais fish, tapah fish and juara tumbuk.
One distinctive offering is makan beranyut, where visitors enjoy a meal on a sampan while drifting with the current, reflecting the community’s bond with the Siak River.
Around 10 local MSMEs in food, food processing and transportation are part of Siak Eco Wonders’ activities, so tourism spending flows back into the local economy.
Young people are involved too. Eight vocational tourism students gain hands-on experience at dinner events, while around 20 volunteers have supported tour activities since the initiative began.
Small Steps Towards Sustainable Tourism
Sustainability is built into the experience through practical changes. Meeting packages and dinner events avoid single-use plastics, with visitors encouraged to bring their own tumblers or use paper cups. Food waste is managed with Bumkam Sejahtera in Mempura District and processed using maggots.
“We want this tourism to provide a simple example that tourism activities can run without adding a burden to the environment,” said Taufiq.
Since its establishment in July, Siak Eco Wonders has recorded around IDR21 million in revenue, with 15 to 20 tourists visiting each month and 20 to 30 bicycle rentals per week.
Challenges remain, particularly around accessibility. Siak can be reached from Malaysia and Singapore by sea and land, while the drive from Pekanbaru takes two to three hours.
Looking ahead, Skelas plans to set up a dedicated business entity for Siak Eco Wonders, strengthen partnerships and develop eco-friendly homestays in traditional Malay houses.
“The hope is that tourism in Siak does not just sell views, but also revives culture, protects nature, and creates jobs,” said Taufiq.
Siak Eco Wonders shows that travel can leave behind more than memories. When visitors connect with local businesses, young people, heritage and nature, tourism becomes a way to support communities and build a more restorative economy.
Skelas has supported 26 businesses across fashion, culinary and education services. Learn more at skelas.org.
